Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships 2026: A Salaried Research Opportunity

Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships 2026: Salaried Research Opportunity

The Leverhulme Trust is offering Early Career Fellowships for 2026, providing salaried positions for researchers to spend time at the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge. This opportunity is for individuals who have recently completed their doctorate and wish to undertake independent research. The fellowship runs from September 2027 to May 2028.

Application Closing Date: October 16, 2026

Location: University of Cambridge, UK

Programme Duration: September 2027 to May 2028

Stipend: Salaried position (amount not specified)

Minimum Qualification: Completed doctorate by fellowship start date.

Opportunity Type: Fellowship for Researchers

About the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships

The Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships are designed to support early-career researchers who are at a formative stage of their careers. The programme aims to provide individuals with the opportunity to carry out a significant piece of research. This is achieved through a salaried fellowship, allowing researchers to focus on their academic work without financial worry.

The fellowships are intended for those who have recently completed their doctorate and are looking to establish themselves as independent researchers. They are particularly aimed at individuals who may not have held a permanent academic position and need support to develop their research profile. The programme emphasizes the importance of independent research and the development of new scholarly work.

About the Leverhulme Trust

The Leverhulme Trust is a major charitable trust that supports research and education in the UK. It was established by the will of William Hesketh Lever, the first Viscount Leverhulme. The Trust provides funding for a wide range of academic disciplines, from science and engineering to the arts and humanities.

The Trust’s mission is to advance knowledge and understanding across all fields of study. It supports individuals and institutions through various grant programmes, including fellowships, studentships, and research project grants. The Leverhulme Trust is committed to fostering academic excellence and supporting the next generation of researchers.

Available Fellowship Opportunities

The 2026 Early Career Fellowships are available at specific centres within CRASSH at the University of Cambridge. Applicants can choose to be hosted by one of the following:

• Centre for Geopolitics
• Cambridge Digital Humanities
• Centre for Pandemic Risk Management

Applicants should indicate their preferred centre when submitting their application.

What the Fellowship Offers

Successful applicants will benefit from a salaried position, allowing them to dedicate their time to research. This includes:

• A salaried position for the duration of the fellowship.
• The opportunity to conduct independent research.
• Access to the research environment and resources at CRASSH.
• Support from a proposed academic mentor.
• The chance to develop their research profile and publications.
• Potential for further career development in academia.

Programme Duration and Location

The fellowship is tenable at the University of Cambridge, UK, within one of the participating CRASSH Centres. The programme duration is from September 2027 to May 2028. Applicants should specify their chosen centre and proposed mentor as part of their application.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Must have completed their doctorate by the start of the fellowship (September 2027).
• Doctoral thesis must have been submitted for viva voce by the Leverhulme deadline (likely early/mid-February 2027).
• Must not be registered for any other degree or qualification when starting the fellowship.
• Thesis submission date must not be earlier than four years before the Leverhulme deadline (likely early/mid-February 2023), unless a career break due to exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.
• Must hold a degree from a UK university or have been in a UK academic position for at least four months before the deadline.
• Those who began their academic post after October 2024 or have been employed for less than four months prior to the deadline are not eligible unless they meet continuous employment criteria.
• Applicants with three or more years of postdoctoral research experience focusing on independent research are not eligible.
• Must not have previously held a full-time permanent academic position at a UK university or equivalent institution.
• Cannot hold a full-time permanent academic position during the Early Career Fellowship.
• Individuals receiving a stipendiary Fellowship cannot hold it alongside the Early Career Fellowship.

Competencies Required

While not explicitly listed as competencies, successful applications will likely demonstrate:

• A strong research proposal with clear objectives.
• Evidence of independent research capability.
• A clear understanding of the chosen research centre’s strengths.
• The ability to articulate how the fellowship will benefit their research career.
• A commitment to academic excellence.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is ideal for early-career researchers who have recently completed their doctorate and are seeking an opportunity to conduct independent research in a supportive academic environment. It is particularly suited for those who have not yet secured a permanent academic position and wish to build their research profile. Applicants should have a clear research agenda and be able to articulate how the University of Cambridge and the specific CRASSH centre can facilitate their work.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials through the online application system by 12:00 noon on Friday, 16 October 2026:

• A completed cover sheet.
• A brief CV (maximum two pages).
• A draft of the three items required for the Leverhulme application:
• A list of your major publications (maximum one side).
• A statement of your current research (maximum 250 words).
• A detailed research proposal (maximum two sides, including references).

Additionally, two letters of reference are required. At least one reference should come from outside Cambridge. Referees must upload their letters directly through the online application system by 17:00 on Friday, 16 October 2026.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the online application system.

Click here to apply for the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowships 2026

Applicants should ensure they have prepared all required documents and have nominated their referees before the deadline. It is important to clearly indicate the chosen CRASSH Centre and proposed mentor on the cover sheet.

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications that are overlength will not be considered.
• Ensure all documents are prepared accurately and submitted by the specified deadlines.
• The Isaac Newton Trust will match the Leverhulme award for eligible Cambridge-based fellows, subject to an internal competition.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Friday, 16 October 2026. Referees must submit their letters by 17:00 on the same date.

SHARE THIS POST WITH OTHERS.